MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Kansas State University’s (KSU) International Grains Program (IGP) in partnership with Plains Grains, Inc. is planning a Producer Market Awareness seminar for March 29-30. The seminar will cover the current position of U.S. hard red winter wheat and projected variables impacting the 2011 harvest.

“This program is an opportunity for hard red winter wheat producers to gain information about how global market situations impact their decisions about when to sell their grain,” said Mark Fowler, IGP associate director.


Fowler and Mark Hodges, executive director, Plains Grains, Inc., agree this collaboration allows them to deliver relevant market information to producers in an optimum format.

“The industry has rarely seen this type of comprehensive program. It will be of interest to all segments of the industry including producers, elevator managers, extension leaders, millers and end users,” Hodges said.

The presentations will cover a wide range of topics, said Fowler. Topics include: current crop conditions in Kansas and across the U.S.; global climate changes and their impact on crops; transportation issues and logistics with a focus on rail issues; grain trading; and the environmental and variety impact on wheat quality.

“This seminar will give producers a chance to interact and get a better feel for the current wheat situation, which is especially important since we are about 60 days away from new crop wheat harvest in Texas,” said Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kansas Wheat Commission. He adds that he hopes Kansas wheat producers will use the information in this seminar to guide their business plans and marketing decisions.

An added feature of this seminar is that it will be offered via the Web to those who are unable to attend in person. Fowler said he is excited about the additional outreach opportunity of this medium.

“By offering the seminar on the Web we will be able to have the maximum number of producers participate both in Kansas and across the U.S.,” Fowler said. He adds that the Web connection is free of change. Those who would like to participate on-site will be charged a $75 registration fee to cover their meal costs.

To view the schedule and register, please go to the IGP website,http://www.grains.k-state.edu/igp/. The registration deadline is March 25.